Posted on 02/22/2009 8:37:20 AM PST by jessduntno
Dear Reader,
Last week the only man standing between Californians and $70 billion in new taxes was Chuck DeVore.
Chuck decried massive tax hikes on hard-working families in the Golden State, resigned his leadership position in protest, and blasted the Assembly's deal:
"This proposed agreement strikes at the heart of our longtime opposition to tax increases. Excessive taxation both harms the economy and robs hardworking Californians of a portion of their liberty. Placing our Caucus squarely in line with tax increases also demoralizes our supporters - people who were counting on us to hold the line.
"For these reasons, I believe it is appropriate for me to resign as Chief Republican Whip, effective immediately. I can no longer participate as a leader on a team that is preparing to make a fundamental mistake of colossal proportions. For the sake of California I hope I am wrong - however, I fear I am right and that this tax increase and budget deal will result in more harm to the Golden State than good."
Chuck DeVore showed his true colors, as a Republican who places principle above position. He marked himself as one of the emerging bright lights of the next conservative ascendancy. In stepping down, he stepped up -- and it won't be the last time.
This past week President Obama signed into law a massive "stimulus" package, passed by partisan liberals in Washington, that jeopardizes our fiscal future and squanders our children's inheritance. We can't afford to take a chance on tepid and untried leaders. We need real conservatives with resolve who will represent us in Washington. We need Chuck DeVore in the United States Senate.
Please consider making a donation to the Chuck DeVore campaign today and help unseat Barbara Boxer.
Thank you, The Chuck DeVore Campaign
(Excerpt) Read more at fundraisingbynet.net ...
Professional Experience: Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army, Army National Guard, 1988-2007 Vice President, Research & Communications, SM&A, 1991-2004 Senior Assistant, Congressman Christopher Cox, 1988-1990 Special Assistant for Foreign Affairs, Department of Defense, 1986-1988 Junior Officer, United States Army Reserve, 1983-1988.
Political Experience: Assemblymember, California State Assembly, 2004-present Co-Chair, California Governor Gray Davis Recall Campaign, 2003 Member, Central Committee, Orange County Republican Party, 1992-2002 Co-Chair, Bush for President, 1999-2000 City Commissioner, City of Irvine, 1991-1996 Senior Assistant, Congressman Chris Cox 1988-1990 Director of Public Liaison, Campaign for Chris Cox, 1988.
Organizations: Caucuses/Non-Legislative Committees: Chair, Community Services Commission, City of Irvine, 1994-1995 Vice-Chair, Community Services Commission, City of Irvine, 1993-1994.
Committees: Audit, Member Revenue and Taxation, Vice Chair Veterans Affairs, Member
http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=28714
Another example of a Republican who is unable to “make the case” for limited government. Plenty of opportunity in Sacramento. Plenty of visibility. Could he keep even a minority in line? No. Now, you want to promote him to the U.S. Senate? The logic of this idea eludes me.
“The logic of this idea eludes me.”
clearly. Unable to make the case with the overwhwlming majority of spineless go-alongs in local office, perhaps he will do better when there is a chance of support. I don’t know of a more principled stand to take...do you? Is it better to continue to lose or improve yuour position to higher ground and oerhaps gain advantage. The principles, I believe, are portable...the power is not...
Would make a great U.S. Senator!
Most here see that pretty clearly.
“Everybody goes home a winner...”
Devore went home a winner, how, exactly?
“He gets to say “I didn’t vote for it.”
He didn’t vote for it. In fact, he resigned Chief Republican Whip over it. Here is what he said;
“The St. Valentine’s Day deal to raise taxes on hardworking Californians will neither close the budget deficit nor control spending. I believe leadership thinks they are doing the right thing – but I cannot be a party to this agreement as I believe it will harm California.”
Excerpts of DeVore’s letter to Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines follow:
“…the recent agreement you negotiated to increase taxes in exchange for a spending limit will not likely accomplish the twin aims of deficit reduction and budget control that you seek.
“This proposed agreement also strikes at the heart of our longtime opposition to tax increases. Excessive taxation both harms the economy and robs hardworking Californians of a portion of their liberty. Placing our Caucus squarely in line with tax increases also demoralizes our supporters – people who were counting on us to hold the line.
“For these reasons, I believe it is appropriate for me to resign as Chief Republican Whip, effective immediately. I can no longer participate as a leader on a team that is preparing to make a fundamental mistake of colossal proportions. For the sake of California I hope I am wrong – however, I fear I am right and that this tax increase and budget deal will result in more harm to the Golden State than good.”
Recent WSJ piece:
“The Internet’s bottom-up nature is more suited to the opposition and grass-roots insurgents, something Republicans are now forced to become. Few have internalized that message more than a little-known California assemblyman named Chuck DeVore. The 46-year-old former aerospace-company executive has already begun contesting the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Barbara Boxer, who faces re-election in 2010, by putting much of his daily routine online.”
What is with the knee-jerk reactions here today? Seriously...this wasn’t a guy “looking for cover” it was a guy taking a principled stand. Check this out;
http://www.saveourstate.org/vforums/showthread.php?t=50541
C’mon let’s drop the pessimism about our own guys..this isn’t Maldadidlo of Santa Maria...
BIG Bump for Chuck!!!
You have no clue as to what you are talking about.
DeVore is in the Assembly. Cogdill is a Senator.
DeVore initiated a campaign to oust the Assembly leader for his participation in the Big Five debacle.
His speech on the floor was stinging and right on.
Do some homework before trying to trash one of the good guys.
A Fiorina enthusiast, I presume?
He was in the Cal Guard with me, actually a pretty good guy....FYI, he also wrote a fiction book about China invading Tiawan...pretty good reading!
He’s got a great record of being on the *right* side of issues and fighting for us.
He tells it like it is. That some are trying to marginalize him here reminds me of the same thing
they did to McClintock, Kaloogian, and a long, long list of conservatives.
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/chuckdevore/index?tab=articles
Chuck wants to build nuclear power plants and bring in LNG amongst other things. When would Boxer or DiFi even consider that?
The battle continues as far as neutralizing conservatism goes.
No Change there. One can only Hope. 8-}
“BIG Bump for Chuck!!!”
I think he’s the real deal...
“A Fiorina enthusiast, I presume?”
...snicker...no grounding in conservatism, is what I presumed...you know your stuff though, gal, that’s plain...
“A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which
must not be compromised to political expediency or simply to swell its numbers.” - Ronald Reagan, CPAC February 15, 1975
“Placing our Caucus squarely in line with tax increases also demoralizes our supporters – people who were counting on us to hold the line.” - Chuck DeVore
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIyi_TaQdRw
DeVore: Tax Increases Would Harm Economy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_YDOyWp2vA
Chuck DeVore’s last stand against the Tax Hike
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw_80MLawhI
Chuck DeVore Blasts Schwarzenegger’s Terrible Tax Hikes
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.